My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

the

Rachel must close her eyes and make a

must blow out

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

thank you!” their parents instructed,

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

smiled for the first time in

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

and headed

apartment and about to

the door was propped open

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

out on business?

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

see you’ve been getting along

took two steps back. Why are

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

step he approached her, forcing

had no idea

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him